Pneumatic grip for bicycles



(No Model.)

H. W. CONARD. PNBUMATIG GRIP PoR BIGYGLES.

Patented Aug. 3,1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EETCE.

HENRY I/V. CONARD, OF l/VYMORE, NEBRASKA.

PNEUMATIC GRIP FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 587,388, dated August 3, 1897. Application filed September 14, 1896. Serial No. 605,772. (No model.)

make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in bicycle-handles, my object being to provide a pneumatic handle for bicycles whereby the jarring incident to riding over rough surfaces will not be imparted to thek arms of the rider.

To this end the invention consists in the various matters hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure l is a longitudinal section of a handle embodying` the present improvement. Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof, and Fig. 3 is a detail.

Referring. now more particularly to the drawings, A represents a metallic core or base, to which the parts of the device are applied. This core may be a part of the usual handlebar or may be separately manufactured and suitably attached to said handle-bar. The handle B surrounding this core is attached thereto. This handle comprises an outer wall b, of rubber or other suitable iiexible fabric, and an inner tube b', which is also preferably of rubber. The ends of the outer wall b are attached to the ends of the inner tube b', and in this way a bag is formed which has a continuous air-chamber surrounding the core A. The inner tube is cemented to the core or attached thereto in any suitable manner, and in order to strengthen the outer wall and protect the same against puncture a cover of canvas or other like material is preferably provided about said outer wall. The bag or pneumatic chamber B is thus attached to the core by being slipped over the same and cemented, and in order to protect its outer end a plate or cap Gis secured to the outer end of the core, said plate or cap extending over the end of the bag B.

The valve for inflating the bag is preferv ably located at the inner end of said bag and is attached to the core or formed integrally therewith. This valve comprises a base or body portion D, through which is formed a chamber d. A channel d communicates with this chamber at a suitable point topermit said channel to communicate also-with the air-chamber formed in the bag. Preferably a teat d2 is formed upon the base, through which teat the channel-extends, the teat entering the bag throughl the outer Wall thereof.

One end of the chamber through the base of the valve is closed by a removable plug d3, and toward the other end of the chamber at a point below the point at which the channel enters said chamber the walls of the chamber are narrowed in order to form a shoulder or valve-seat d4, upon which rests a spherical or other suitably-shaped valve d5, said valve being held in place by the coil-spring d6, bearing at one end upon the plug in the end of the chamber. The end of the chamber below the valve-seat is also closed by the plug el?, this end of the chamber being so constructed that an air-pump can be attached thereto.

It is thought that the operation of the present device is apparent. the entrance of the chamber against dust or other objectionable matter and protects the valve from being accidentally released from its seat. The valve being located in the chamber as described it can be readily removed for cleaning or repair and the chamber extending through the base can be easily cleaned.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is Y l. The combination with the body portion of the handle, of a flexible bag about the same, a base at one end having a passage eX- tending transversely of the length of the handle, and a channel leading therefrom to the interior of the bag, a valve in said chamber, a spring arranged within the chamber acting on said valve, and a plug at the opposite end of said base, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the core, of a handle surrounding the same and comprising an outer wall of iiexible material, and an inner tube also of iieXible material, said inner tube` being attached to the core, a cap secured in th'e outer end of the core and extending over The plug 17 closes the end of the inatable portion, a base at In testimony whereof I have signed this the opposite end of the core having a passage specification in the presence of two subsorib- 1o at right angles to the lengt-h of the handle, ing witnesses.

and a Channel communioatinff therewith and T with the interior of the inlaable portion, a HEB RY W CONARD plugin one end of said chamber, and a Valve Viinesses:

' in the other with an interposed spring, all FRANK L. VICKS,

substantially as herein specified. JOHN ,GAGNON 

